Margaret Court calls for more coaches

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TENNIS legend Dr. Margaret Court insists that Uganda has the potential to produce global sports stars but requires the right technical staff to identify the players

By Swalley Kenyi

TENNIS legend Dr. Margaret Court insists that Uganda has the potential to produce global sports stars but requires the right technical staff to identify the players.

The 72 year old was speaking at a working luncheon at the National Council of Sports (NCS) in Lugogo where she made the remarks.

“You (Uganda) need people who can see potential in someone. You can’t do something about the past but you can do it about the future.”

Brought to Uganda by Channel 44 TV and the Robert Kayanja Ministries to offer inspirational talk to national sports associations, Court said that to excel in sports, Uganda needs people who are passionate about what they do.

“You need to be passionate about what you do. It is not about doing a job. Love what you do today and you will excel in it,” he added.

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APPRENTICE: Uganda's number one tennis player Duncan Mugabe poses for a picture with Dr. Court. Photo by Johnson Were

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Dr. Court takes youngsters through some drill at the Lugogo center court. Photo by Johnson Were

Throwing some light on her rise to global stardom, Margaret Court said that her first tennis racket when she started playing the sport was a piece of wood which she used to play against a wall. A family friend later gave her an old racket to play with.

Margaret Court ended up amassing more Major titles than any other player in the game’s history.

Court has won a record 62 Grand Slam tournament titles, including a record 24 singles titles, 19 women's doubles titles and a record 19 mixed doubles titles.

The total rises to 64 Grand Slam titles (21 mixed doubles) when the shared 9 titles at the Australian Championships/Open in 1965 and 1969 are considered.

“As a shy 17 year old girl, I was losing when I remembered my coach’s words that I had not only trained enough, but was also the best. That inspired me to win my first major title.”

“I never lost a match when representing my country because I love Australia,” Court accompanied to Kampala by her husband Barry Court and tennis coach Mathew Carle said.